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Back to Basics: Essential Commands Tune-Up
Revisiting these fundamental commands ensures clear communication between you and your dog. Patience and positive reinforcement are your guiding principles here. Keep it fun!Sit: The Foundational Pause
Ah, the classic Sit. It’s more than just a trick; it’s a polite way for your dog to greet people, wait for their food bowl, or pause before crossing a street. To refresh it, hold a treat close to your dog’s nose. Move the treat upwards and slightly back over their head. As their nose follows the treat, their rear end should naturally lower into a sit position. The moment their bottom touches the ground, say “Sit” (just once!) and immediately give them the treat and praise (“Good Sit!”). Avoid pushing down on their rear end. If they jump up, you might be holding the treat too high. If they back up, ensure you’re moving the lure slightly *back* over their head, not just straight up. Keep practice sessions short – just a few repetitions several times a day.Down: Relaxation and Control
The Down command is excellent for promoting calmness and control, especially in exciting environments. Ask your dog to sit first (it’s often easier from a sit). Hold a treat near their nose, then lower it straight down between their front paws and slightly outwards. As they follow the treat, they should lie down. As soon as they are fully down, say “Down” and give the treat and praise. Some dogs respond better if you lure them down from a standing position. If your dog pops back up quickly, make sure you’re rewarding them *while* they are still down. You can also gently place your hand on their shoulders briefly as you give the treat to encourage them to stay down for a second longer, gradually increasing the duration.Stay: The Art of Patience
Stay is crucial for safety and management. It requires impulse control from your dog, so build duration and distance gradually. Start simple. Ask your dog to Sit or Down. Hold your hand up in a clear “stop” gesture, say “Stay” firmly but calmly, and wait just one or two seconds before returning to them (don’t call them to you initially), giving a treat, and releasing them with a release word like “Okay!” or “Free!”. Gradually increase the time you ask them to stay, then slowly add distance (start with just one step back), and finally introduce distractions (practice in different rooms, then the yard, then on quiet walks). Always return to your dog to reward a successful stay initially; calling them out of a stay comes later. If they break the stay, calmly guide them back into position and try again with a shorter duration or less distance. Don’t scold; just reset.Come (Recall): The Lifesaver
A reliable recall (Come) is arguably the most important command you can teach. It can prevent accidents and keep your dog safe. Make recall practice incredibly rewarding and fun! Never call your dog to punish them – you want them to associate coming to you with wonderful things. Use an upbeat, happy tone of voice. Start in a quiet area with a short distance. Say your dog’s name followed by “Come!” As they start moving towards you, offer enthusiastic praise. When they reach you, reward generously with high-value treats, a favourite toy, or lots of petting and praise. Practice recalls frequently, in different locations, and sometimes when they least expect it (when they’re sniffing something interesting, for example, though start easy!). Keep it positive! If they don’t come immediately, resist the urge to repeat the command over and over or chase them. Try backing away encouragingly or getting down low. Make yourself more exciting than whatever else has their attention.Leave It: Resisting Temptation
Spring walks mean encountering all sorts of tempting (and sometimes dangerous) things on the ground: discarded food, interesting trash, mysterious wildlife leavings. Leave It teaches your dog impulse control around forbidden items. Place a low-value treat (like kibble) on the floor and cover it with your hand. Let your dog sniff and investigate. The moment they pull their nose away, even for a second, say “Yes!” or click (if clicker training) and reward them with a *different*, high-value treat from your other hand. Don’t say “Leave It” yet. Once they understand that ignoring the covered item gets them something better, start saying “Leave It” as you cover the item. Gradually progress to having the item uncovered on the floor (you may need to use a foot or leash to prevent them from snatching it initially). When they look away from the item (perhaps looking at you instead), reward them generously. Practice with various objects and increase the difficulty slowly. The key is teaching them that ignoring the item leads to a better reward from you.Making it Stick: Practice Makes Perfect
Refreshing these commands isn’t a one-and-done deal. Consistency is paramount. Think short, frequent training sessions rather than long, drawn-out ones. Five minutes, two or three times a day, is often more effective than one frustrating half-hour session. This keeps your dog engaged and prevents burnout (for both of you!). As your dog gets sharper in a quiet environment like your living room, start practicing in different locations. Try the backyard, the front porch, a quiet park, and eventually (gradually!) areas with more distractions, like during your walks. This process, called proofing, helps your dog understand that “Sit” means sit, regardless of whether they’re at home or watching squirrels.Remember, positive reinforcement training focuses on rewarding desired behaviors, making learning enjoyable and strengthening the bond with your dog. It’s about teaching your dog what you *want* them to do, rather than focusing solely on stopping unwanted actions. Consistency, patience, and finding what motivates your individual dog are your best tools for success. Keep training sessions fun and engaging!Introduce distractions gradually. Can they Sit while another person walks by? Can they Stay while you bounce a ball? Can they Come away from an interesting smell? Start with low-level distractions and slowly increase the difficulty as they succeed. Always set your dog up for success. If a distraction is too much, make it easier next time (increase distance from the distraction, reduce the duration of the command). Most importantly, keep it fun! Use an enthusiastic tone, celebrate successes (even small ones), and mix in play with training. If you’re getting frustrated, your dog will sense it. End the session on a positive note, perhaps with a command they know well or a short game of fetch, and try again later when you’re both feeling refreshed.
